Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/46

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XXX

NOTES.

P. iv. Anna's grave] Parnell married Miss Anne Minchin. See his Life.

P. vi. Mordaunt been] Since this poem was written, this accomplished actress has again delighted the stage, by condescending to reappear on it. I may say, with Swift, in allusion to my own premature lament,

'His worship is bit
By that rogue Nisbitt.'

No actress ever received so much commendation from the lyre as Mrs. Oldfield; all Parnassus conspired to praise her. The ashes of Siddons's fame are fortunately placed in a poet's hand.

P. x. Love and beauty nigh] Lady Russell sate by her husband's side during his trial, and acted as his amanuensis.

'That sweet saint who sate by Russell's side.'
Rogers's Human Life.

P. xii. great integrity] These were the words that Arch. Sancroft addressed to his chaplain on his death-bed. He retired to a small patrimonial farm at Fressingfield, in Suffolk, where he died, and where his monument is erected.

P. xiii. Adestes' green domain] Is an expression, I believe, of Mr. Whitehead, the Laureate, but I speak from memory.

P. xvi. Beautiful Helen] A person of great authority, but whose name is too venerable to be mentioned; affirms that there never were hut five women who were perfectly beautiful, and that there never will be a sixth. They are—Semiramis—Helen—Cleopatra—Diana of Poictiers—Ninon de L'En-